Mekong Delta Central Connectivity Project: Rapid Climate Change

Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment

About: The ADB Central Mekong Delta Connectivity project represented a USD 220 million loan to the Government of Vietnam for the development of strategic transport infrastructure to enhance connectivity between the central provinces of the Mekong Delta with major regional hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. Design and construction of the project was phased into 6 components:

ICEM was commissioned by the ADB to undertake a Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Study (VA Study), focused on Components 1-3 of the Project. The VA Study quantified the risk posed by climate change to the current design and suggested adaptation options which may be included into the detailed design phase. The VA Study has been designed to run in parallel to the detailed design phase and engage in the project development cycle prior to construction or finalisation of decisions on design and investments to:

integrate adaptation options into the project from the outset, and;

ensure the overall sustainability and longevity of the development in the context of climate change.

ICEM informed the design phase by providing detailed guidance to ADB on the level of climate change threat, the components of the design most at risk and sensitive to that threat and the adaptation options.

The aims of the study were to integrate climate change risk management into the detailed design of components 1-3 of the Central Mekong Delta Connectivity Project, and to pilot-test a rapid climate change Vulnerability and Adaptation Methodology for transport infrastructure projects. The latter outcome extends further than the Central Mekong Delta Connectivity project, and is applicable for other transport development projects under consideration by the ADB and the Government of Vietnam.